Obituary of Margaret Ann Deen

Margaret Ann Deen, of Doniphan, Mo, passed away on October 3, 2020, after living a long (96 years), loving, and altruistic Christian life. Margaret was born on July 1, 1924, in Doniphan, MO, to Nell and James Deen of Doniphan. She was the fifth of six daughters born to the Deens. She was preceded in death by her parents and her five sisters ~ Glenna Dalton, Clara Mae Jackovich, Mary Lee Deen, Dorothy Koogle, and Betty Lou Zitnak. She also mourned the untimely death of one of her nephews, Greg Zitnak, and her special friend, Willard Murray. To cherish her memory, Margaret leaves eight nieces and nephews: Sue Dowdy, Gary Dalton, Delores Strickland, Deen Koogle, Debra McHenry, Glenda Dranchek, Brenda Vardi, Sandy Zitnak, and many great nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind an adopted niece, Mary Jones, and dear friend, Susan Stephens. Margaret was a lifetime member of the Doniphan Methodist Church. She worked for 47 years for the Shemwell Insurance Agency. She loved bowling (with a multitude of trophies that attest to her skill), walking, reading, and doing whatever she could for others. After retiring in 1997, Margaret devoted herself to enjoying time with her sisters who had moved back to Doniphan, and giving herself to numerous charitable events (i.e., volunteering at Current River Nursing Home, helping at the Doniphan Nutrition Center, walking to raise funds for “Miles for Meals”, etc.). Margaret doted on her nieces and nephews, always making special plans for them when they visited with her in Doniphan, from taking them tubing down Current River, going to drive-in movies at ‘the Bluff,’ catching fireflies, skipping stones, giving them money to go to Finch’s Drugstore to get a soda or to the Ben Franklin to buy something they probably didn’t need, or just swinging with them on the porch swing, telling stories of “Those Deen Girls”. Margaret was a stalwart of Doniphan. She was known for her quick wit, sense of humor, easy laugh, warm smile, and loving heart. Everyone who knew Margaret said that she was the sweetest, most kind-hearted person they had ever met. She is now free of her earthly bonds and there is a party in heaven because the Lord and her family welcomed a truly good soul. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Current River Nursing Home, or Preferred Hospice. There will be no viewing or service at this time. The Family will, at a later date (still to be decided), hold a memorial service in Doniphan to honor the wonderful Margaret Ann Deen.